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I still like to read the Psalms in the King James Bible; but when I want to read a clear and modern language version of the scriptures, I prefer the Jewish Publication Society's (JPS) Tanakh. This version of what is also known as the Old Testament was translated into English directly from the Hebrew. It is a fine text for both literary and biblical studies, as well as an accessible version for readers wanting to gain spiritual or intellectual insights from scripture. A Hebrew-English Tanakh is also available from the JPS. Recommended by K.P., Powells.com

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Regarded throughout the English-speaking world as the standard English translation of the Holy Scriptures, the JPS TANAKH has been acclaimed by scholars, rabbis, lay leaders, Jews, and Christians alike. The JPS TANAKH is an entirely original translation of the Holy Scriptures into contemporary English, based on the Masoretic (the traditional Hebrew) text. It is the culmination of three decades of collaboration by academic scholars and rabbis, representing the three largest branches of organized Judaism in the United States. Not since the third century b.c.e., when 72 elders of the tribes of Israel created the Greek translation of Scriptures known as the Septuagint has such a broad-based committee of Jewish scholars produced a major Bible translation.

In executing this monumental task, the translators made use of the entire range of biblical interpretation, ancient and modern, Jewish and non-Jewish. They drew upon the latest findings in linguistics and archaeology, as well as the work of early rabbinic and medieval commentators, grammarians, and philologians. The resulting text is a triumph of literary style and biblical scholarship, unsurpassed in accuracy and clarity.

Ebook versions of this title may be purchased from most ebook vendors.

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KIER8, August 17, 2008 (view all comments by KIER8)
The "Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures" is one of the Jewish Publication Society's greatest achievements. It is a new, contemporary English translation of the entire Bible [Old Testament] according to the Masoretic{traditional Hebrew] text. For decades, teams of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform rabbis and academics researched ancient, medieval, and modern Biblical commentaries {Jewish and Christian] and studies of Near Eastern archaeology, linguistics, and culture to ensure an accurate, clear translation. No wonder that this award-winning edition has been used by thousands of Jews and Christians alike.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No(3 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)

I still like to read the Psalms in the King James Bible; but when I want to read a clear and modern language version of the scriptures, I prefer the Jewish Publication Society's (JPS) Tanakh. This version of what is also known as the Old Testament was translated into English directly from the Hebrew. It is a fine text for both literary and biblical studies, as well as an accessible version for readers wanting to gain spiritual or intellectual insights from scripture. A Hebrew-English Tanakh is also available from the JPS.

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